Improvement in lap-tables



LAURA M. CHAPMAN.

Lap-Tables'.

N0.5,090. Patented May19.1874.

UNITED FICE.,

IMPROVEMENT IN LAPTABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. E 51,090, dat-ed May 19, 1874; application tiled February 21, 1874.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Bo it known that I, LAURA M. CHAPMAN, of Friendship, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lap-Tables; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, iii-which- Iiigure l is a perspective view of my improved lap-table, right sideV up. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the under side of the Sallie.

Similar letters of reference in the accompanying drawings denote the same parts.

The object of this invention is to provide a cheap, compact, and convenient waiter or stand, to be laid upon ones lap, upon which refreshments may be served when the usual conveniences of a table cannot be furnished, and which, when not in use, possesses the advantage of not taking up room in the house.

In the accompanying drawings, a represents l two thin leaves of board, of any desired size,

quality, or pattern, each, however, having 011e straight side, b. These straight sides are united by two hinges, c, whereby one leaf may be closed upon the other. Around the free edge of each is secured a rim, d, projecting slightly above the upper surface of the leaves, which prevents a cup, or plate, or anything else from easily slipping off. At any point or points upon the leaves holes e may be made, ef sufficient size to receive a tea-cup, a-nd securely hold it. Upon the under side of the leaves a brace, f, is arranged, to slide and bind across the hinged joint when the leaves are open, or to slide back and permit them to close when so desired. rlhe said sliding brace and the loops g, which keep it in position, are let into the leaves sufficiently not to obstruct the closing of them when desired 3 the whole forming a cheap, simple, compact, and convenient waiter or table, to rest upon the lap, on which to place a plate, cup, 85e., while eating, in any circumstances where the usual conveniences of an ordinary table cannot be had, and which, at the same time, is compact, easily handled, and takes up little room in the house.

I am aware that work-tables have heretoL fore been constructed consisting of two leaves hinged together, and provided with sliding braces on their outer edges, by means of which the leaves are held rigidly when opened for cutting purposes, said leaves being also capable of being folded on each other., to ren4 der the worlctable more compact in form, and occupy less room when not in use; and I therefore lay no claim to such work-table, as it could not be used for the same purpose as my lap-table, because there is no rim sur- A the lower faces of the under surfaces of the leaves, is prevented from interfering with persons using my-table5 whereas the two braces employed on the outer edges of the leaves of a work-table would, if used for the same purpose as my invention, interfere with persons using it, by reason of their clothes being' liable to be caught by the braces in the move ments of their arms while in use.

I claim as my invention- As an article of manufacture, a folding lapvtable consisting of two leaves, a a, hinged toy gether; circumferential rim d, entirely sur-l rounding said leaves; openings c e, for the rcception of cups or other vessels; sliding brace j', countersunl: in a recess in the under surfaces of both leaves, las described, so as to be flush with them; and loops g g, to retain the sliding brace f in place, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

LAURA M. CHAPMAN.

Witnesses:

W. E. DAvIs, Y GHAUNGEY l, HURLBUT. 

